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Outing/2nd Trial on Lough Melvin

(April 17, 2010)

Women from all over Ireland made their way to Breffni Pier on the south western shore of Lough Melvin last Saturday 17th April.The aim was to have a good day’s fishing and to qualify for the Irish Team to represent Ireland at the Ladies International Flyfishing Championships to be held on Bewl Water, Kent in June 2011.

This was the 2nd trial of the 2010 league organised by the Irish Ladies Flyfishing Association.

With most of the women having over 100 miles to enjoy the views to get to Melvin that morning it was with despair that hedgerows were looked over to the taller trees in the distance.Not a branch was moving and the sky was blue.It didn’t bode well for a lake that fishes best with a decent wind.

However spirits were not daunted and everyone was made to feel welcome with a nice cup of tea provided by the Kinlough Anglers.Two new members were welcomed and amid great camaraderie flies and tactics were discussed.With flies swapped and even lines the women headed off for their day on Melvin and thankfully a breeze was lifting the top of the water to a reasonable wave and though still bright a few clouds had moved in to threaten to cover the sun from time to time.It all looked good.

Chairman Susan Brown from Lisburn, Co Antrim was drawn with Julie Gerry (2010 Captain) from Maynooth, Co Kildare.They opted to go to the far side of Maguire’s Island at the mouth of Dolan’s Bay and soon found fish albeit small ones.However they were over fish nearly all day though most were under the minimum size of 28cm.

Madeleine Kelly from Hilltown, Co Down was drawn with Mary McKee from Tobermore, Co Tyrone.With their local boatman Brian Hallett they decided to go right to the very top of Kinlough Bay to the shallower water.Nothing stirred.By mid afternoon they’d worked their way down the bay and decided to have a drift off Roosky.Here both of them returned several undersized fish and then Madeleine caught a nice sonaghan that was swiftly measured and returned to the water safely.

The other ladies involved all rose or caught undersized fish and enjoyed their day out and a meal later together in Bundoran. Thanks Ruth for organising this! The food was delicious and the craic excellent.